Tamil Nadu CM expands Vettri Payanam free bus travel scheme for women

Key facts

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched the expanded 'Vettri Payanam' free bus travel scheme for women on October 2, 2026, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, by issuing zero-fare tickets at Koyambedu Bus Terminus in Chennai.
• The scheme, announced by the Chief Minister under Rule 110 in the Assembly on August 24, aims to ensure women are not deprived of social and economic opportunities due to transport costs.
• The free travel facility, earlier limited to ordinary city and town buses and up to 40 km in hilly regions, now covers Express, Limited Stop Services (LSS), Deluxe, Suburban Ordinary (Mofussil Ordinary), and Ghat Ordinary services running over 40 km operated by the state's seven State Transport Corporations (STCs).
• Under the expansion, 12,695 buses will operate 1,68,500 single trips daily, benefiting an estimated 84.32 lakh women passengers across Tamil Nadu every day.
• There is no income ceiling for beneficiaries and no limit on the number of daily trips under the scheme.
• The scheme's name is derived from the ruling party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and means 'victorious journey' for women.
• Due to the Model Code of Conduct in force for by-elections in Madurantakam (Chengalpattu district) and Dharapuram (Tiruppur district), implementation of the scheme in these two districts is deferred until the election process concludes.